what is the best way to tell age and sex of a RIR

[mycra]

I have 12 RIR that i purchased at a local farm store.
Along with 2 Crested Ducks (actual breed ?)
The chicks have been at my place about 5 weeks.
wheb i got them they had just started to get feathers.

As far as sexing them , being new to this they all look about the same to me. I had read some where that you could tell a young Roo from a pullet by
how pointy there feathers are. And if so what feathers? (Tail, Wing etc.)

As far as the ducks are concerned . I purchased the quackers at the request of my 5 year old daughter. Knowing even less about ducks then i know about chicks. it is a boggle.

Duck 1
starting to feather very well
has a pom-pom atteched to the top of its head
feather clor is a medium to dark brown in center
and tan on the outer fringes of the feathers
Duck 2 same as above only solid black in color


Any tips tricks or ideas on how to id these chicks or ducks please let me know

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

First, post some photos.

The hackle and saddle feathers are the ones that get pointed. Hackle feathers are the ones around the neck and saddle feathers are the ones just in front of the tail.

 

[Katy]

Female ducks quack while the males make a raspy thoaty noise. Later on the male get a drake curl feather at the base of their back where their tail is.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Except that that the curl doesn't occur in all breeds

 

[mycra]

Thanks all for info.
by the way are RIRs supposed to have white or black feathers on wing or tail